Developing Your Content

Once you have created your USP, you'll need to start developing content around your concept to hammer home the point. The type of content you'll need for your site will depend on what type of site you plan on building. The key is to focus on what you're providing: information, consumer goods, or a means of interacting with other people. You will want to put yourself in your potential customers' shoes and imagine what specific information, products, or features you would want on a website.

Examples

Informational Site

Assume you are a plumber and you need a site. Pertinent information that could go on your site could include pictures of you, the work you've done, a list of your services, and any areas of specialization. You might opt to include a page, called a FAQ, where you answer frequently asked questions. This will save you time and energy. It will also allow you to focus on other things that will get you paid.

Another good idea is to place testimonials of satisfied customers on your site as they will lend credibility to you and your services. It helps round out your site by posting several methods of getting in touch with you such as: physical address, telephone number, as well as an e-mail form for sending you electronic mail.

Online Store (E-Commerce Site)

The content will be very different from the informational site if you're setting up an online store to sell consumer goods. Your content will focus around the products you are selling. You will definitely need a list of products you sell as well as pictures for each of the products. Supplying information about your company including your billing information as well as your return policy and privacy policy. It will help flesh out your site and handle potential consumers' questions.

Be sure to highlight the benefits associated with purchasing from you over your competition while displaying your most basic content. Use your USP to emphasize this point and incorporate this concept through all of your pages.

Social Networking Sites

Unlike the informational and e-commerce site, you do not create the bulk of the content if you're setting up a social networking site. Instead, your members will be providing the content. This concept may seem like it's saving you work. However, you'll still need to create a means for attracting people to sign up for your site.

Establish a user base first by sending out newsletters to prospective members prior to completing the development of your site. It's not a mandatory process but it has been known to be a highly productive method of generating interest. In the newsletter, you'll use your USP as well as a list of benefits of how your site will help them accomplish their objectives. One persuasive tactic is to provide discount pricing, extra benefits or other incentives to get your initial client base to sign up when the site goes live will.

NOTE: You will need a fully functional website first because your members will be providing the content to your site. This differs from the other two websites where you need your content before you create your site.